Manager, give me a membership card too!

The tactical doll, clad in advanced armor, gave a final salute before turning and walking toward the government officials who were secretly watching them, leaving Rorschach alone, his brow furrowed as he gazed at the witch's barrier gate not far in front of him.

"I was planning to find a suitable opportunity to explain the situation to Mami, but who knew..."

With a quiet sigh, Luo Xia roused himself and strode toward the witch's barrier that was shimmering with a faint light.

Since the situation was beyond repair, all he could do was try his best to prevent it from getting worse.

Stepping into the witch's barrier, one is greeted by countless bizarre and distorted landscapes, and... the deafening sound of artillery fire.

"Is that sound coming from that direction?"

Turning his head towards the direction from which the sound came, Luo Xia, who was standing at the entrance of the barrier, swayed slightly and reappeared near the location of the cannon fire.

"Firepower Command ON! Computing power boosted, data sharing in progress!"

"Tactical eyepiece activated, auto-aiming ready!"

"Prepare for artillery support, eat the spicy food of those misanthropic old ladies!"

What appeared before Rorschach was a one-sided 'massacre'. Countless grotesque and twisted witch familiars surged towards the defensive line formed by a few tactical dolls like waves, only to be riddled with bullets by the fully armed soldiers. In particular, several massive black cannons hovering in mid-air, with each shot accompanied by an earth-shaking roar, swept away a large number of familiars, clearing enough space near the tactical dolls.

The battle seemed to be favoring Rorschach's soldiers, but the pace of the attack made it seem as if the tactical dolls were at a disadvantage, while the seemingly endless, overwhelming familiars were in a much better position.

Squinting slightly, Rorschach quickly discovered the reason for the strange situation. One person was holding back this tactical squad, and that person was none other than Rorschach's target: the blonde girl, Mami Tomoe.

Mami Tomoe's condition was far from good. Her face was contorted in pain, and her body was curled up on the ground as if she were enduring extremely gruesome torture. The tactical doll squad, preoccupied with protecting their teammate who had lost her fighting ability due to the unknown circumstances, dared not move rashly and were thus trapped in place.

Fortunately, the tactical dolls had ample ammunition reserves, allowing them to hold out until reinforcements arrived, even in this difficult situation. For example, Rorschach had already reached their vicinity.

The man's eyes narrowed slightly, a barely perceptible glint of electricity flashing within them. His strong, agile right arm rose, delivering a seemingly effortless punch into the air beside him.

A terrifying shriek accompanied the trajectory of Rorschach's fist, finally transforming into a thunderous roar that swept across all directions. An unparalleled, overwhelming power condensed in his palm, striking the witch's barrier like a red-hot iron hammer.

"Clogs~ Clogs~"

After the extreme movement comes the extreme stillness, and in this tranquil space, a series of crisp sounds, like shattering glass, gradually rise.

The chaotic and distorted space around them dissipated.

The witch's barrier shattered.

This is the first chapter of today, and I'll post another one tomorrow morning. I took some cold medicine, and now I can barely keep my eyes open. Everyone, please don't stand directly in front of a fan or air conditioner after sweating or showering; catching a cold will make you suffer.

Chapter 273 Show Me the Proof

Chapter 273 Show Me, Xia Jun

The clean and tidy corridor was brightly lit, and a girl with braids wearing a light green military uniform stood under the sapphire blue Chaldea symbol.

With her delicate face and tightly pursed lips, her serious expression made her stand like a straight javelin, waiting for someone to arrive.

'Da da da'

A crisp, rhythmic footstep came from the other end of the corridor. Hearing the sound, the girl in military uniform instinctively straightened her chest, wanting to face that person in the best possible way. Then, she heard the voice that had been the first to welcome her into this world at the moment of her 'birth'.

"Hey, that's strange. You didn't go out drinking with anyone today during your day off? That's not like you, Sixteen."

"Commander, I..."

Looking at Luo Xia with a gentle smile in front of her, the girl in military uniform opened her lips, but the words she had prepared beforehand just wouldn't come out.

"Hehe, what's wrong? I didn't expect you to show such a girlish side. If your little girls saw this, they'd probably think your mind had been altered."

At this point, Luo Xia stepped forward, patted the girl with the braided hair on the shoulder familiarly, and said with a smile:

"Alright, stop with the nagging. You're taking a rare day off and instead of going out for drinks and barbecue, you're standing here seriously waiting for me. You must have something to say. Just say it, I'm listening."

Hearing Luo Xia's voice, which carried a hint of laughter, the girl in military uniform hesitated for a moment, then suddenly bowed deeply to Luo Xia.

"Commander, I would like you to apologize to Ms. Mami for me."

"Apologize to Mami?" Luo Xia repeated the words spoken by the girl in military uniform with some confusion, then nodded in sudden realization, understanding the purpose of her visit today.

"You mean you told Mami the truth about the magical girl, which almost caused her to fall into despair and become a witch, right?"

The girl in military uniform didn't speak, but nodded silently. She had only been explaining based on what she knew, never expecting Mami to react so strongly. If Rorschach hadn't arrived in time, Mami might have already crossed the threshold and become a new witch.

"You're not at fault in this matter, and you don't need to apologize."

With a silent sigh, Luo Xia patted the girl's shoulder again, then slowly walked to her side.

"The root cause of this matter is my indecisiveness. On the one hand, I know that Mami will eventually find out about my current situation, but on the other hand, I am afraid that she will not be able to bear the cruel reality and will have a mental breakdown. I have been caught in a dilemma and have been dragging it out until now."

"While the current situation isn't ideal, it's still a decent outcome. In that respect, I should thank you."

"Commander... but what about Miss Mami now...?"

"There are no 'buts'. I'll handle Mami's situation. I was too indecisive before, which led to this mess, and now you have to clean it up for me. Now I've faced the tasks and responsibilities I need to complete, so you don't need to blame yourself here."

“You are a soldier, a warrior. You were just fulfilling your duties and responsibilities. You did nothing wrong. It was my fault for not providing you with the relevant mission information, which led you to make a judgment without the necessary intelligence. I should take responsibility for that.”

Luo Xia raised his hand and patted the girl in military uniform on the head, ruffling her meticulously styled bangs into a mess. Luo Xia's expression relaxed considerably.

“I won’t convey your apology for you, because you just did what you were supposed to do. If you really feel bad about it, then apologize to Mami yourself after I heal her. I think she’ll be happy to have another friend then.”

"Commander...I..."

"Alright, stop calling me 'Commander,' just call me 'Boss,' it'll sound better. Or do you want to call me 'Brother' like the girls under you? Actually, I don't mind."

Luo Xia's interruption joke made the girl in military uniform blush slightly, and her already gloomy mood became flustered.

"Now that things have been said, don't just stand there. It's a rare holiday, no missions to go on, go out and stroll around. Your girls are probably getting impatient by now."

After Luo Xia's persuasion, the girl in military uniform seemed to have changed her mind. She lowered her head and remained silent for a while, as if thinking about something. After a long while, she slightly raised her head and looked at the man in front of her.

"Boss, do you know what kind of gifts Ms. Mami likes?"

"Little Mami? I think a box of high-quality black tea with a nice dessert would make a great gift to greet you."

"Black tea and dessert? Okay, I got it! I'll do my best, boss!"

Watching the girl in military uniform nod vigorously at him and then turn to leave, Luo Xia wore a wry smile. He wondered where these kids had learned this trick. Shaking his head helplessly, Luo Xia stood still, turned around, and looked at a door not far from him, his smile gradually fading.

We've dealt with one, but there's an even more troublesome one that needs to be solved.

Lying on the clean, soft hospital bed, Mami Tomoe stared blankly at the spotless ceiling above her, holding her Soul Gem, which radiated a dim light, in her hands. She remained silent, like a lifeless doll.

'Knock knock knock~'

A rhythmic knocking sounded from outside the ward, followed by Luo Xia's gentle voice.

"Mami, may I come in?"

The man's voice made a slight movement in the girl's unfocused pupils, but then, as if remembering something, a dark look appeared on Mami Tomoe's face. She turned her head away as if to avoid something, pretending that she couldn't hear him.

'Knock knock knock~'

"Asami?"

Several calls went unanswered, and the sounds outside the door gradually subsided. Just as the blonde girl thought Rorschach had left, and a hint of regret flashed in her eyes, she heard the sound of the doorknob being turned.

"I'm sorry, I entered without your permission."

Luo Xia slowly closed the door to the ward behind him, his tone tinged with apology.

"It's almost noon. I've prepared lunch for you. It's one of your favorite dishes. Have some."

As he spoke, Luo Xia's gaze fell on the bedside table next to the girl's hospital bed, and his voice gradually lowered. There, the breakfast he had prepared for Mami Tomoe was still perfectly intact, untouched.

Even if you're in a bad mood, you still have to eat.

With a wave of his hand, Luo Xia put the now-cold breakfast back into his system space, then placed the prepared lunch on the bedside table. He pulled out the chair designated for caregivers by the bedside and sat down next to Mami Tomoe.

"Is there anything you want to say? I'm sitting right here, and I can tell you anything you want to know."

Rorschach's words made the girl slowly clench her other hand, which was hidden under the sheet, but in the end, she didn't say anything. Instead, she remained quietly in place as if she hadn't heard anything.

Sighing inwardly with a slight headache, Rorschach realized that the reason he hadn't told Mami Tomoe the truth about magical girls was precisely because he was afraid of witnessing this scene. If it were just crying, sadness, or hysteria, it would be manageable; once the emotions were released, the person would eventually calm down and gradually accept reality.

What's truly terrifying is when the person involved doesn't cry or make a fuss, but instead lives like a soulless corpse. This kind of life, like that of a walking dead, is hardly better than being dead.

The tidy room gradually returned to silence, with no other sound audible except for the two people breathing. This near-death atmosphere made the atmosphere in the room even more oppressive, and the Soul Gem, which the girl held to her chest with her right hand, visibly dimmed.

Suddenly, at this moment when the atmosphere was at its most oppressive, a soft and slow melody gently echoed in the small hospital room. Along with it, Rorschach's deep, a cappella voice also began to play:

"How much more must I lose before I can be forgiven? How much more pain must I endure before I can meet you again?"

"One more time, seasons, please don't keep changing. One more time, the time when we laughed and played together."

“When we argue, I’m always the one who gives in first, but your willful nature makes me love you even more.”

"One more chance, held back by memories. One more chance, unable to decide where to go next."

As Mami Tomoe's consciousness gradually sank into the deepest recesses of her mind, her body suddenly trembled, and her scattered gaze refocused. The blonde girl turned her head in disbelief, looking at the man sitting beside her bed, slowly playing and singing on a wooden guitar.

His voice was so clear, his gaze so gentle, and the girl's bewildered soul seemed to find its home at that moment.

"I've been searching and searching, hoping to catch a glimpse of you somewhere. On the platform across the tracks, by the bed in the depths of an alley, even though I know you can't possibly be there."

"If my wish could come true, I would want to go to your side immediately."

"There's nothing left to fear. I will hold you tight no matter what..."

The girl's amber eyes stared blankly at the man before her, and the man looked back at her without flinching, softly singing a melodious song. As the gentle, melancholic music gradually faded, the girl suddenly released her right hand, which had been tightly gripping the Soul Gem, and instead clutched the man's robes tightly, pleadingly saying:

"Lo, Lo-san, could you...sing it again?"

Luo Xia looked at the tear tracks slowly streaming down the girl's face, his smile softening even more, and he responded softly:

"it is good."

The unique sound of the acoustic guitar rang out again in the small hospital room. Rorschach repeated the song that was both sorrowful and somewhat relieved, while Mami Tomoe held onto the hem of Rorschach's shirt, listening quietly to his voice, her thoughts drifting away without her realizing it.

Mami Tomoe had a very happy first half of her life. Although her parents were not wealthy, they were a loving couple who worked hard and doted on her.

After a lifetime of hard work, they finally own a house in this city, a place for their small family of three to settle down.

If fate continues as it should, perhaps Mami Tomoe will have a bright and happy future.

However, everything changed on that summer afternoon.

What should have been a pleasant family trip turned into a tragedy when a young girl lost both her parents due to someone's drunk driving, leaving her utterly alone in the world.

Every time she is awakened by nightmares in the middle of the night, Mami Tomoe regrets making such a 'selfish' wish.

"Please let me live (don't let me die alone)."

The girl was rescued, all by herself.

The pain and regret of not being able to save her parents tormented her constantly, making her try every means to make up for her past mistakes.

Fight! Fight!

Walking on the edge of a knife, she used her delicate body to shield others from the witch's malice.

"For every witch you kill, countless people who should have died are saved."

The creature called Cupid spoke these words, and the girl he saved firmly believed them.

Witches are evil, malevolent spirits that lead people astray. By hunting witches, one is protecting other kind and innocent people.

Countless days and nights, Mami Tomoe fought on the front lines against witches, and countless witches died at her hands. She is undoubtedly the witch slayer among magical girls.

But then one day, someone told her this:

"Most of those witches are transformed from magical girls who have suffered emotional breakdowns or exhausted their magic power. In order to harvest more of the powerful energy generated by the moment when magical girls have suffered a mental breakdown, these evil incubators will deliberately create disasters to make it easier for them to contract with magical girls. Then they will try their best to entice these magical girls to engage in the most dangerous and arduous battles. They will also give hints from time to time in order to make these magical girls fall into witches as soon as possible."

The shocking truth left Mami Tomoe in disbelief for a moment, even suspecting it was a lie fabricated to explain her killing Kyubey. However, the girl in military uniform who had once fought with her quickly presented a wealth of answers.

Countless records, photos, and even videos all tell Mami that what the other party said is the real truth, and what she has been hearing from Kyubey all along is just a lie fabricated by the other party to deceive her.

Because she was born with the potential to become a magical girl, Kyubey deliberately caused the car accident to put herself in a desperate situation in order to force herself to sign the contract.

My parents died because of me. If it weren't for me, they would have continued to live happily ever after.

An overwhelming sense of guilt overwhelmed Mami almost instantly, plunging her into an emotional abyss from which she could not escape.

In addition, she had hunted down countless witches in her past attempts to purify the gems. The thought that these witches might have once been magical girls like herself filled Mami with genuine resentment and disgust for her actions.

What difference is there between me, who uses the lament seeds of those magical girls to purify the Soul Gem, and cannibalism?

The relentless, overwhelming emotional blows shattered the fragile heart beneath the girl's strong exterior, plunging her into uncontrollable depression and self-abandonment. Until, the arrival of that man...

"I've never asked you before, what is Luo Sang's full name?"

The girl, clutching the man's clothes, asked in a barely audible voice. If Luo Xia hadn't possessed extraordinary senses, he might not have been able to hear her at all.